Friends and founders gather to fete 40 years-a-growing at FRS
THE FRS Network, incorporating FRS Farm Services and FRS Fencing Systems is celebrating 40 years serving the community this week, as well as taking a look at how the co-op has grown over that period. Having been founded in April 1977 as a relief milking service to 33 farmers, today FRS has developed into a multi-service vibrant business, serving thousands of customers in the agriculture and non-agri sectors.
Having started with three part time people the co-op now has a worforce of approx. 60, many of whom are full time. Many others use FRS to supplement their farm income.
FRS provides a vital labour service to small, medium and large scale farmers who cannot afford, or could financially justify, a full time labour unit.
Meanwhile, the co-op provides a professional fencing service where quality materials are key to the success story.
Last week, FRS gathered its ‘founding fathers’ for a special celebration of their contribution, in Kanturk.
Back in 1977, when the service began, three part-time relief milkers were recruited, one of whom, Dan O’Riordan, acted as co-ordinator.
As the business grew and numbers expanded the Co-op rented its first office in Percival Street in Kanturk. Dan was appointed full time manager and within a few years, as the fencing business outgrew the premises, the Co-op purchased what was formally Sutton’s coal yard.
At all times, crucial to the success and development was a forward looking committee.
The founding chairman was Noel Corkery, who guided the co-op in the early years, followed by John Forde, who became a committee member following a merger with Newmarket/ Boherbue Farm Relief Service, and a few years later John J O’Connell took the reins.
John was succeeded by Donal Lehane, who served the role until current chairman Tim Leader was appointed.
The setting up of FRS in Kanturk was initiated by the Board and management of North Cork Co-op, and Newmarket/Boherbue FRS by the Board and management of Newmarket and Boherbue Co-ops.
The former chairmen of Newmarket/ Boherbue Co-op, pre-merger, included founding chairman Dan Francis Murphy, Eugene Guerin and Darby Carroll RIP. Management in Newmarket/ Boherbue included Michael Cronin assisted by Noreen O’Leary and later PJ O’Sullivan took over.
All of these, together with their voluntary committees, served the Co-op and its members very well.
Almost 10 years ago, with ongoing development and increased staff and operator numbers, a new site was acquired where a purpose built office and store, based in Dromalour, Kanturk, now serves the large customer base.
While Kanturk is the main base for the fencing business, the Co-op also has offices in Bruree, Co Limerick, where Pat O’Sullivan manages fencing, and Bandon, where Gordon Kingston runs the day to day operation.
Dan O’Riordan is keen to point out and highlight the key role played by operators with FRS over the last 40 years.